3/30/2012
Hello Blue Hen Sports Alumni & BHSAFF Supporters:
After much deliberation amongst itself, and with other key individuals related to the organization, the BHSAFF Board made the tough decision to commence the process of dissolving the BHSAFF organization. That process is now concluded, and effective as of March 13th 2012, our organization is no longer a legal entity, and as such, is no longer in a position to receive donations or fulfill what was once it’s charter.
With the above news communicated, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recap the brief, but extremely rewarding history of our organization. As many of you know, we began this journey in the fall of 2007 spurred by the interest to provide immediate emotional and financial assistance to one of our families, and to reconnect the UD sports alumni family as a whole. At the same time, we wanted to position the organization well to be capable of providing the same financial and emotional support for other families in the future who might be experiencing extended periods of hardship. In February 2008, we incorporated in the State of Delaware and was designated a tax-exempt 501c3 entity by the Internal Revenue Service. Over the course of 2008 through 2010, we held two fundraiser events enabling us to bring over 250 US sports alumni and supporters together in support of two different “Families of Focus.” To those families, we were able to distribute over $35,000 combined to assist with their medical expenses. Perhaps even more beneficial than the money, for both the families however, was the emotional lift they realized from everyone’s support.
So then, why did we choose to dissolve the organization? Well although we’d hoped to be able to establish ourselves with those early fundraisers, and visibility provided by an article published in the UD Messenger last year, we simply could not generate enough support during periods in between “Family of Focus” fundraisers, to cover our annual operating costs, let alone fulfill our interest to accumulate money in a fund that could be available for distribution to one or more family’s when needed.
That said, this has been an unbelievably rewarding, and emotionally uplifting four plus years for me personally, the other Board members, and many of you. When I first decided to establish the BHSAFF organization after speaking with Gregg Perry late 2007, I let some people know of this decision. Before I could even ask for help, I received offers to help from so many people that it warmed the heart and motivated me beyond belief to know I was part of such a wonderful group of people. Within this email, I will never be able to acknowledge everyone that made an imprint on me, but please know that you all have in one way or another. I do need to call out a few people though, who without their support, this idea would never have gotten off the ground, or had an opportunity for longer term success, and to whom I offer a tremendous amount of gratitude:
• Gregg Perry – Who’s passion for UD, and its sports alumni, is so great that it launched this organization.
• Colleen McNamara Cimador – UD Women’s Basketball & BHSAFF Board Member/Secretary. I can’t begin to tell you how great a teammate she is…thank you.
• Geof Gardner – UD Football & BHSAFF Board Member/Treasurer. The first to offer his help and still standing with us at the end…thank you for everything.
• Jim Nolan – UD Football & BHSAFF Board Member/Information Technology. Probably tied for the nicest, most genuine person I’ve had the pleasure of meeting…thank you.
• Andre Buck – UD Men’s Basketball & BHSAFF Board Member. Offered his help at a time when we needed a boost and new energy…thank you Buck.
• Neil Lipinski – Brother of a UD Football alum, was our attorney who offered his free services…thank you. Employed at Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A. in Wilmington, Delaware.
• Mark Urick, Scarlett Schmidt & Bernard Muir – UD Athletic Department team members that helped with visibility via the UD Messenger. Thank you.
• UD Sports Programs – Those that donated items and exposed the BHSAFF to its players so that they could be aware of our benefits upon graduation.
• All of you – Everyone that gave a dollar, donated an item, or gave a moment of your time to support us directly or talk positively about the merits of the organization.
Like all of you, the BHSAFF Board is a competitive bunch, and absolutely had hoped to establish a longer term success. That said, with what was accomplished, and with the impact we’ve had on so many, we wouldn’t have changed a thing. We hope that somewhere along the way, we were able to do something for you, or enable you to participate in something, that made you feel good and made you realize that you are a part of a fantastic extended family called Blue Hens Sports Alumni.
On behalf of myself, and the entire BHSAFF Board of Directors, we thank you for everything, and are now signing off.
Bill Vergantino
____________________________________________________
Colleen (McNamara) Cimador - Secretary Andre Buck - Board Member
Women’s Basketball, (‘91 - ‘95) Men’s Basketball, (‘90 - ‘93)
colleenc32@optonline.net mbuckii@aol.com
Bill Vergantino - President Geof Gardner - Treasurer
UD Football Team, QB (‘88 - ‘92) UD Football Team, LB (‘92 - ‘96)
609-540-6769 ggardner@patriotequities.com
Jim Nolan, Board Member
Football, (1995 - 1999)
nols76@yahoo.com
